Has anyone had good luck with using Chinese medicine?!

Has anyone had good luck with using Chinese medicine?

My doctor has had me on so much medication for anxiety I actually feel sleepy and unhealthy. I decided to try Chinese medicine. The odd ingrediants are brewing now and it really smells. Can someone please give me their honest experiences with this approach?

2 months ago
I don't want to know what will help anxiety, I would like to know if anyone has tried the herbal brews, and did they find a difference. In otherwords is it worth it to get that liquid down if it's just a gimick? I would love as many responses as possible. Thanks

2 months ago
I don't want to know what will help anxiety, I would like to know if anyone has tried the herbal brews, and did they find a difference. In otherwords is it worth it to get that liquid down if it's just a gimick? I would love as many responses as possible. Thanks

I've used Chinese herbal teas to help with headaches and to increase my appetite. My sister who has had anxiety/depression, likewise used Chinese herbal teas to help treat her symptoms, and my aunt used herbal teas to help with infertility (she currently now has two children).

I'm a natural skeptic of Chinese medicine and find it hard to believe how various sliced roots, barks, dried berries, fluffy flowers, dried twigs (I gather that is what you are boiling) can help treat various ailments, but each time the tea has been administered either to me or my close family members, I do notice positive changes. (How and why? That's a whole new discussion).

Yes, the drink will be very bitter, yet that is what it's suppose to taste like (the more bitter, the more potent the medicine). The doctor may have you boil the same package 2-3 times before going on to another package. The smell of the herbal tea will be unbearable, but turning on the vent or window should suffice.

Couple of notes and tidbits:

1. Keep in mind that the traditional Chinese doctor prescribed packaged herbs with two purpose in mind: The first batch will most likely consist of a formula targeted to treating the anxiety symptoms (worry, sadness, constant vigilance, etc). The second batch is considered more long term, as it will help to treat the underlying long-term cause of your anxiety (anxiety usually associated with emotional trauma that has gone unresolved. In Chinese medicine, emotional instability can cause great damage).

2. Many posters here noted acupuncture. Some doctors use solely chinese herbs, others acupuncture, and some will consider a combination of both acupunture and chinese herbs. Don't worry if your doctor didn't prescribe you acupuncture.

3. I want to make it clear that I am not a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner, but through my experience with my sister, I would say this: Try to resolve any emotional pain/trauma, and make peace with it. The symptoms will reappear if this is not resolved (sort of like you purposely going outside with shorts and sleeves when it is raining and it's 30 degrees). Your condition may take months and years to fully recover, so don't expect and anticipate a quick fix. You and the medicine must undo many years of damage that went unaddressed.

Hope this helps.